encouragement

Seasons24

October 27, 2024 by Bill Leave a Comment

“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” (Genesis 8:22)

As I was driving this week, I noticed the beautiful colors of the trees and foliage on our mountainsides. It reminded me that, just a few weeks ago, most everything was green. But as I saw the different shades of many colors there now, I thought, “This is the way we are as God’s creation. We are all together, different species of plants, different shades of color but we’re all God’s creation and we live together. Through much of the year, the trees are green but, I thought, maybe the fall season allows them to show their “true colors”. I’ll have to think and pray about that idea some more. Maybe you can get a revelation of this.

However, God has a plan. Personally, I don’t like the winter season much but it’s the way God handles His creation so I’ll continue living the Plan. There is always another season to look forward to. Just as God created seasons for the earth, He has “seasons” for us to go through.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). All these “seasons” are not joyful, some are very difficult, but God has a Plan. We must endure the difficult seasons knowing that they are for a purpose. An athlete doesn’t get to play on the first team without going through some tough training. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Whatever season of life you’re in now, be assured that God has a Plan for you. I heard a preacher say once, “We’re either in a trial, coming out of one or going into one.” That’s life…but God has a Plan. And, just as the trees go through the seasons together, may we, as God’s creation, do the same. I wrote about this topic in my blog in 2020, you can read it here: https://roadrevelations.org/2020/11/seasons.

New Life 2024

April 29, 2024 by Bill 26 Comments

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Recently, I noticed a dead limb in my yard under a tree. I then looked up and saw a limb ON that tree that looked dead but I knew that there was life in that limb and, in time, it would display that life. They both looked dead but I knew the limb on the tree was connected to the roots of life. During this time of year, we can see the evidence of new life everywhere in God’s creation. We have made it through the harsh weather of winter but spring is here…as it is each year. It’s God’s plan.

God has a similar plan for us. “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ.” (Colossians 2:13). Before we were saved, we were already dead in our sins. We were like that limb on the ground, dead, not connected to the tree. But when we asked Jesus into our hearts, we were miraculously connected to the Tree of Life and we then had New Life! But just like the tree, we have to go through seasons. Some seasons are difficult and some are pleasant but we have to go through them. When we hunker down, (that’s Appalachian talk), in the cold, we can look forward to the new life of spring and summer. We must always, with faith and hope, look ahead. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12). The apostle Paul was looking ahead and pushing through his troubles toward his prize. “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14).

If you’re going through a hard time now, go look at nature and be reminded that there is new life. If you haven’t asked Jesus into your heart, do it today and you will be God’s “new creation” and that New Life will be in you.

The Promises of God

February 16, 2024 by Bill 24 Comments

It is said that there are between 3000 and 8000 promises in the Bible. Here are ten that will encourage you.

Eternal Life – (John 2:25) “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.”

You’re never alone – (Matthew 28:20) “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

Forgiveness – (1 John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The Holy Spirit – (Luke 11:13) “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
To meet our needs – (Matthew 6:33-34) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.”

Healing – (Exodus 15:26) “For I am the Lord who heals you.”

Wisdom – (James 1:5) “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Peace – (John 14:27) “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Protection – (Psalm 91: 4-6) “He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.”

Jesus is coming again! – (John 14:2-3) “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were notso, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

It’s a promise and, “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Look Up To God

November 25, 2023 by Bill Leave a Comment

This phrase, “look up” has come to me several times lately. As I looked back over my past posts, I saw five with the title “Look Up” Each one with a different look at that term. It must be important. When trouble comes our way, we usually tend to look at the trouble and not, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?” (Psalm 121:1). In Numbers 21, God’s people complained against God in the desert and He sent venomous snakes among them and many died. They repented and God told Moses to, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” (V. 8). They had to “look up”. Also in our technology infused world, if we don’t know something, we “look up” the answer. Right? God has the answer, “look up”.

One of my favorite songs, especially as I’m going through this troubled time, is Complete by the Parachute Band from 2000. One of the lyrics says, “So I lift my eyes to you Lord. In your strength will I break through Lord. Again, “look up” to the Lord. A very comforting vision we can see from this and the scriptures is this: Imagine yourself kneeling at the Throne of God with your head down burdened by troubles, repenting and asking for forgiveness. Then you hear a voice from above, “Hey, child, look up here. I love you and I’ll take care of it.” You look up into the loving face of God and see Him smiling back at you, (can you see it?) and all your worries seems to fade away. God then asks you to stand up and offers you, with outstretched arms, a big hug.

In my blog, there’s a post about looking to God. It refers to an old hymn and says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” Same idea, “look up” Go to www.roadrevelations.org and search, “Praise Beside the Path” to read it.

The last “look up” I’ll mention is the most important. Revelation 1:7 says, “Look, he is coming with the clouds,’ and ‘every eye will see Him”. On that day Jesus will appear in the clouds, which are above us, and every eye shall see Him. We will all “look up” at this wonder. Some will be afraid because they haven’t prepared but many will be joyful as they “look up” at Jesus and hear Him calling us up. What a day that will be! Are you looking up? Have you prepared and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

Conversations With Jesus

November 4, 2023 by Bill 30 Comments

God speaks to us in many ways; through His word, a preacher, a song, or by inspiration during prayer. Prayer, by the way, is just talking with God and here are some examples of conversations we might have with God. I posted this several years ago but thought it would be good for those who may be struggling with some issues.

When God gives you a task to accomplish, you might say: “God, I’m not good enough, I can’t handle it.” And God says, “Great, I’m glad to hear you say that.” “No, you’re not and you can’t, that’s why I’m here.” “Now, let me help and we’ll get ‘er done!”

“Lord, I’m feeling sort of messed up today, why is that?” “Well, child, it’s because you’ve cluttered your mind with all these other things in your life except Me.” “I keep reminding you, ‘Seek Me and my Kingdom first and all these other things will be OK.’” “Oh yeah, I remember.” “I’m sorry Lord; I don’t know why you keep putting up with me.” “Child, it’s because I love you and I’ve got some great things I want you to accomplish.” “Now let’s go.”

“Lord, don’t let our country, founded on your principles, go down.” “Show yourself mighty, strong, loving, compassionate and merciful.” “Yes, I can do that but I have millions of people who claim to be my followers who are just sitting by and doing nothing with those things you mentioned, which I’ve placed in them.” “If my people will get up and do something, then you will see My power displayed and change will happen.”

“Yes, I’m a follower of yours Jesus.” “Well, get up and follow me!” “It takes more than just saying you’re a follower to be my follower.” “Get up and come on, we’ve got work to do.”

“That’s just the way I am, I can’t help it!” “Well child, that’s true to a point.” “You were born with a sin nature because of Adam and Eve’s sin but I sent Jesus to save you out of that and now, you’re a new creation, you’re different.” “You have power and a free will to say no to sin and the devil.” “Now, THAT’S just the way you are and you CAN help it!” Spend some time every day just talking with God.